With dog owners occupying more than 60% of Ohio homes, dog bites are surprisingly common. These dangerous animal attacks can result in serious physical injury, emotional distress, and significant financial damages. If you have been bitten by a dog in Ohio, you may have the right to seek compensation. Our Cincinnati dog bite lawyers are here to help you file a legal claim in accordance with Ohio law.
Ohio dog bite laws hold dog owners responsible for injuries caused by their dogs. Regardless of what provoked the dog, bite victims are entitled to pursue damages through the legal process. We pursue damages for your future medical bills, lost income, emotional distress, and other losses related to the attack.
Schedule a Free Consultation with a Cincinnati Dog Bite Lawyer
After a wrongful death case, RKPT is here to support you. Call us at (513) 721-3330 and speak with a wrongful death lawyer about your case.
Call Us
Choosing RKPT as Your Cincinnati Dog Bite Lawyer
The team at RKPT offers legal recourse after a dog bite or animal attack. Our legal team distinguishes itself by offering more than just the minimum in legal assistance. We proudly offer:
Exhaustive Claims Investigation. Every case starts with collecting eyewitness accounts, video footage, and medical documents. Each of these elements helps us to build a strong case for you.
Personalized Legal Counsel. No two dog bite cases are quite the same, and the stress from the incident may present differently in different people. Our compassionate attorneys offer support at every step of the process, with regular communication and insights.
A Record of Success. While no attorney can guarantee a result, our track record speaks for itself. We bring decades of experience to every deposition, hearing, and trial. We know what it takes to secure compensation for dog bite victims—and we build on our experience with every case we take.
Call RKPT to speak with an Ohio dog bite lawyer: (513) 721-3330.
Understanding Ohio’s Dog Bite Laws
Ohio enforces strict liability for dog bites. Dog owners are usually responsible for the injuries, regardless of whether the dog has shown past aggression. Dog bite victims typically do not have to prove negligence. They only need to show that the dog caused their injuries and that they were lawfully present at the location.
Common Dog Bite Injuries
While no two dog bite injuries will present exactly the same way, many will present in one or more of the following ways:
Lacerations and Puncture Wounds
Some of the most frequent injuries from dog bites involve damage to the skin and underlying tissue. The severity depends on factors like the dog’s size and strength, the area of the body affected, and how long the attack lasted. Always seek medical care promptly to reduce the risk of scarring and infection.
Broken Bones
Bone break fractures can occur in attacks involving larger or stronger dogs or when an attack is prolonged. Children and older adults are especially at risk of breaks and fractures. Smaller bones in the hands, feet, and face are more susceptible to breaking during an animal attack.
Fractures may result not only from the bite itself but also from falls or impacts with hard surfaces during the struggle. Immediate medical attention is essential to properly diagnose and treat broken bones. Treatment may involve X-rays, bone realignment, casts, splints, braces, or, in severe cases, surgical intervention.
Nerve Damage
Dog bites can result in nerve damage. The seriousness will depend on the dog’s size and strength, the location of the bite, and how long the attack lasted. Symptoms may include pain, numbness, tingling, burning sensations, muscle weakness, reduced mobility, or even paralysis. Treatment options may involve rest, medications, physical therapy, or surgical intervention.
Scarring and Disfigurement
The risk of permanent scarring and disfigurement depends on several factors. These include the severity of the wound, the medical care received, the presence of infection, the victim’s age, and individual healing characteristics. The dog bite victim may need to undergo dermabrasion, laser therapy, or surgical procedures to reduce scarring.
Infections
Dog saliva contains a variety of pathogens, and bites can result in serious infections either at the wound site or spreading throughout the body. Common infections include cellulitis and those caused by bacteria such as Pasteurella and Staphylococcus (Staph). These are typically treated with antibiotics, which may be applied topically, taken orally, or administered intravenously, depending on the severity.
Although less common, rabies and tetanus are particularly serious concerns. If the victim has not received a tetanus shot within the past 10 years, a booster should be given promptly. Rabies, a viral infection that attacks the nervous system, is almost always fatal once symptoms appear.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Dog bite attacks can cause more than just physical harm. They can also lead to significant psychological trauma, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Without timely and appropriate professional intervention, victims may experience lasting psychological and physical effects that can impact their quality of life. Symptoms may include intrusive memories, heightened anxiety, or hypervigilance. Victims may also avoid certain situations, people, or places that remind them of the attack. Changes in mood, thinking, or emotional responses are also common.
Children are especially at risk for developing PTSD after a dog attack; studies suggest that nearly half of children bitten by dogs may develop PTSD. Treatment typically involves trauma-focused therapy, and in some cases, medication may also be recommended to help manage symptoms.
Regardless of the injury, all dog bite incidents should be taken seriously, investigated thoroughly, and resolved promptly. Our Cincinnati dog bite lawyers are here to help pursue financial compensation for all expenses related to your dog bite injury. Speak to a Cincinnati dog bite lawyer today: (513) 721-3330.
What To Do After a Dog Bite
1) Seek medical attention immediately.
After a dog bite, always get a full medical evaluation as soon as you can. Even a small wound can be the start of a serious, or even life-threatening infection. Doctors can often treat this with antibiotics, but you must seek medical attention quickly.
2) Report the incident to local authorities.
Report the dog bite to animal control. They will ask about the details of the incident, including location, date, time, and any known information about the dog and its owner. From there, animal control will investigate the attack and take appropriate action.
3) Document your injuries.
As soon as you can, take photos of the scene of the incident, the dog, and any visible injuries to the victim. You may also wish to take a video of the scene and the aftermath. Any media doubles as valuable evidence for any future legal claim. Also, be sure to collect the witnesses’ names and contact information.
4) Avoid speaking with the dog owner’s insurance company without legal representation.
Insurance companies, especially the ones representing the dog owner, will move quickly to settle a claim, which often results in much lower financial compensation for your injury than you deserve. Do not communicate with the insurance company without the assistance of an experienced dog bite attorney.
5) Contact a dog bite lawyer.
Be sure to consult with an experienced dog bite lawyer in Ohio before the statute of limitations expires. Our attorneys will guide you through every step of the legal process to help you obtain the maximum compensation for your medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering. Contact RKPT at (513) 721-3330 for a consultation regarding your case.
Read More: What To Do If Bitten by a Dog in Ohio
Dog Bite Lawsuits: Frequently Asked Questions
Does Ohio follow the “one bite” rule?
Ohio does not follow the “one bite” rule, which allows owners to avoid liability for a first bite if they are unaware of their dog’s aggressive tendencies. Instead, Ohio is a strict liability state for dog bites, meaning that a dog owner is automatically liable for injuries caused by their dog, regardless of whether the dog has bitten anyone before or shown previous aggression. Victims do not need to prove that the owner was negligent or that the owner knew the dog was dangerous.
What is my dog bite case worth?
The value of your dog bite case will vary widely depending on several factors, including the severity of your injuries, the extent of medical treatment required, lost wages, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and any permanent scarring or disfigurement. Courts and insurance companies also consider the strength of your evidence, the circumstances of the attack, and the impact on your quality of life.
RKPT’s seasoned team of Cincinnati dog bite lawyers stand ready to fight for full, fair financial compensation after an animal attack. Call us at (513) 721-3330 for a free consultation.
What is the statute of limitations for filing a dog bite lawsuit in Ohio?
Under Ohio’s dog bite statute, victims are generally given six (6) years from the date of the incident to bring a dog bite claim. If the victim is a minor (under 18), the two-year period begins on their 18th birthday. This effectively gives a minor until they turn 24 years old to file a dog bite claim in Ohio.
However, if a legal claim is pursued under general negligence or personal injury law rather than the specific dog bite statute, some dog bite claims may fall under a two-year statute of limitations. Consult a Cincinnati dog bite attorney as soon as possible to ensure your claim is filed within the correct timeframe.
Do I need a Cincinnati dog bite lawyer?
We highly recommend working with an experienced attorney, even on a seemingly small dog bite claim. This greatly improves your chances of securing fair compensation and has also been shown to improve the outcome of your case.
The personal injury lawyers at RKPT have extensive knowledge of Ohio’s dog bite laws, as well as state and city regulations, legal procedures, and negligence laws that can affect the value of your case. Our Cincinnati dog bite attorneys negotiate with insurance companies, who may attempt to settle your dog bite case for far less than it may be worth.
Call RKPT, Cincinnati dog bite attorneys, for your free consultation: (513) 721-3330
Who is responsible for the cost resulting from a dog bite?
In Ohio, owners are automatically liable after a dog bite attack, unless certain defenses apply. These defenses include cases where the victim was trespassing, provoking the dog, or committing a crime at the time of the incident.
Regardless of the owner’s knowledge of the dog’s aggressiveness—or the dog’s prior behavior—most dog bites constitute negligence. One exception is police dogs, who may be trained to bite a suspect believed to be committing a crime.
If you have suffered a dog bite attack, RKPT is here to help. Call (513) 721-3330 for a free consultation.
